Germany/Switzerland Help
Mar 31st, 2017, 05:30 PM
#1
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Germany/Switzerland Help
My wife & I will be in England in mid-September 2017. When the event we are attending is over on 17 Sep, we are thinking about flying or taking the train from London to Zurich/Schaffhausen, Switzerland or Stuttgart, Germany. My wife wants to work on some family genealogy in Schaffhausen. Also, we have friends in Stuttgart. Assuming we get to this general area on about 20 Sep, we are trying to fill a 2 to 2 1/2 week period from the 20th to about 4-7 Oct. I'm looking for suggestions. At this point, I haven't ruled out a rental car or using the available trains.
I know we could spend plenty of time in southern Germany or we could head east into Austria. After the 2 to 2 1/2 week visit, we will head back to London, possibly spending 3 or 4 days in Paris on the way. We need to be back in London on 12 or 13 Oct. We do not speak German but my wife may remember some of her college French.
Suggestions? Thank you!
I know we could spend plenty of time in southern Germany or we could head east into Austria. After the 2 to 2 1/2 week visit, we will head back to London, possibly spending 3 or 4 days in Paris on the way. We need to be back in London on 12 or 13 Oct. We do not speak German but my wife may remember some of her college French.
Suggestions? Thank you!
Apr 1st, 2017, 02:46 AM
#3
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You may fly from Londoon to Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, Basel or Zurich.
As to the places to visit, all will depend on your interests.
You may have a look at www.myswitzerland.com
As to the places to visit, all will depend on your interests.
You may have a look at www.myswitzerland.com
May 28th, 2017, 06:12 PM
#4
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As time goes by, our timing changes. Now we are looking at taking the train from Paris on Sunday, Oct 1. We want to spend 3 or 4 nights in or near Schaffhausen, Switzerland. As an alternative, we could spend 3 or 4 nights in Zurich and just take the train from Zurich to Schaffhausen so my wife can do her genealogy research. I think I read that the train trip from Zurich to Schaffhausen is only about 40 minutes. Assuming we spend the nights of Oct 1-4 in Zurich, we could then take the train from Switzerland back to London.
I'm interested to know if the train from Paris to Switzerland is a fairly simple to do? Are trains limited on Sundays? Are Swiss cities pretty open on Sundays?
I'm interested to know if the train from Paris to Switzerland is a fairly simple to do? Are trains limited on Sundays? Are Swiss cities pretty open on Sundays?
May 28th, 2017, 09:03 PM
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Hi bus67,
Yes, it is very simple to take the train from Paris to Switzerland, especially since you'll be going someplace close to Zürch, the major hub.
You can use either the French or the Swiss rail site to get see the schedules and to get tickets:
https://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html
https://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/
The trains run at a slightly reduced schedule on Sundays, but there will still be plenty of options.
On Sundays, most shops will be closed, but restaurants & cafes will be open. Sunday is a great day to take a lake cruise and then enjoy a lingering lunch at a lakeside cafe -- Rapperswil would be a great destination for this.
Have fun as you plan!
s
Yes, it is very simple to take the train from Paris to Switzerland, especially since you'll be going someplace close to Zürch, the major hub.
You can use either the French or the Swiss rail site to get see the schedules and to get tickets:
https://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html
https://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/
The trains run at a slightly reduced schedule on Sundays, but there will still be plenty of options.
On Sundays, most shops will be closed, but restaurants & cafes will be open. Sunday is a great day to take a lake cruise and then enjoy a lingering lunch at a lakeside cafe -- Rapperswil would be a great destination for this.
Have fun as you plan!
s
May 29th, 2017, 11:42 AM
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If you are going to Switzerland, you will find it more interesting and enjoyable to spend some time in the Berner Oberland (Alps) Region south of Interlaken. Zurich is ok for maybe a night, but it is just another big city!
May 29th, 2017, 01:37 PM
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One of our favorite places in Switzerland was Stein am Rhein which is very close to Schaffhausen. It is quite small so could be seen easily in an afternoon or you could spend the night and really get the feel for this little gem.
https://www.google.com/search?q=stei...ih=525&dpr=1.5
https://www.google.com/search?q=stei...ih=525&dpr=1.5
May 29th, 2017, 02:21 PM
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I'm interested to know if the train from Paris to Switzerland is a fairly simple to do? Are trains limited on Sundays?
Yes Paris to Switzerland trains are easy to book -I think Basel would be the place TGV fast trains would take you then regional trains to Schlauffhausen (a really neat city BTW IMO) -book yourself at www.voyages-sncf.com or www.thetrainline.eu -similar fares latter is said to be easier to get to work but much cheaper than full fare.
Zurich has direct TGV trains to Paris - same booking sites are best.
For lots on trains check www.seat61.com (awesome info on discounted tickets); www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Usually no significant discount for Swiss trains but check www.sbb.ch -Swiss Railways site -if no discount just buy as you go along - no problem getting on trains there are so so many. Lots of trains on Sundays too.
Yes Paris to Switzerland trains are easy to book -I think Basel would be the place TGV fast trains would take you then regional trains to Schlauffhausen (a really neat city BTW IMO) -book yourself at www.voyages-sncf.com or www.thetrainline.eu -similar fares latter is said to be easier to get to work but much cheaper than full fare.
Zurich has direct TGV trains to Paris - same booking sites are best.
For lots on trains check www.seat61.com (awesome info on discounted tickets); www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Usually no significant discount for Swiss trains but check www.sbb.ch -Swiss Railways site -if no discount just buy as you go along - no problem getting on trains there are so so many. Lots of trains on Sundays too.
May 31st, 2017, 08:51 AM
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"Yes Paris to Switzerland trains are easy to book -I think Basel would be the place TGV fast trains would take you then regional trains to Schlauffhausen"
The direct Basel - Schaffhausen trains start from the German railway station (Basel Badischer Bf). That means 2 train changes at Basel. Although this itinerary is shorter in distance, it takes often more time than the "detour" via Zurich.
The direct Basel - Schaffhausen trains start from the German railway station (Basel Badischer Bf). That means 2 train changes at Basel. Although this itinerary is shorter in distance, it takes often more time than the "detour" via Zurich.
May 31st, 2017, 02:02 PM
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www.bahn.de/en says they are both ways about 1:50 but you can probably get a TGV France to Zurich as cheap as to Basel so yes Zurich is more straight forward.
